Shopping centre marketing manager Donna Callander has defended the decision, saying that there were ‘a number of issues’ surrounding the closure.

She said: ‘We can confirm that unfortunately Franco and Paolo Ristorante Italiano has left Locks Heath Shopping Village.

‘We do review our rents in line with how the local retail market is performing as well as its retailers however we believe there were a number of issues which led to the restaurant choosing to leave.

‘We have delivered a fully let shopping centre with some really fantastic tenants including some great independents and we will be in discussions with various tenants to fill the space which the restaurant has sadly left.’